Collapsible drape stand



Jan. 6, 1942. L. R. PEER COLLAPSIBLE DRAPE STAND- 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 19, 1940 :ZIICII:

u dl bfl i all u ll WIPLTQ N INVENTOR.

I LEONARD R. PEER ATTOR Jan. 6, 1942. R PEER 2,268,771

COLLAPSIBLE DRAPE STAND Filed Feb. 19, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ll gr I! I INVENTOR. LEONARD R. PEER.

ATTORNEYJ' Patented Jan. 6, 1942 COLLAPSIBLE DRAPE STAND 7 Leonard R. Peer, Cleveland, Ohio. assignot toyThe Aetna Manufacturing Company,

Cleveland,

Ohio, a corporation-of Ohio- Application February 19, 1940, Serial No. 319.723

10 Claims.

This application relates as indicated to a collapsible drape stand, and more particularly to a support for curtains and the like suitable for use as a draped background for funeral biers.

It is a principal object of this invention to provide a drape stand which may be quickly collapsed to occupy relatively small space.

Another object of this invention is to provide a support for curtains and the like which when extended will support curtains of large dimensions but which may be collapsed without removal of such curtains and rendered easily portable.

A further object is to provide a support of the above type which is unusually light in construction yet sufiiciently rigid when locked in an extended position.

Still another object of my invention is to provide a structure of the above defined type which may be quickly and easily erected and collapsed by a single man.

Other objects of this invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, said invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. I

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail certain structure embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting, however, but one of various structural forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the device of my invention generally indicating the manner in which the curtains are hung thereon, with, however, but a fragmentary portion of one of the side arms or wings being shown;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of my device as illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken along the line 3--3 on Fig. 4, but also showing the cover which may be placed over my stand when the latter has been collapsed;

Fig. 4 is a top plan view showing my stand in collapsed state;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 5-5 on Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged rear view of the locking means illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. '7 is an enlarged detail view of the link members forming a portion of the upper end of the supporting column;

for supporting a crucifix or the like; and

Fig. 8 is a detail view of a joint between an Fig. 11 is a cross sectional view taken along the line Il-Il on Fig. 10.

Referring now more particularly to said drawings, and especially Figs. 1 and 2, the support or stand of my invention comprises generally a collapsible upright or column carrying a curtain supporting cross member and wings. More particularly, said stand comprises a flat rectangular base I, adjacent one side of which are pivotally attached two spaced rigid members 2 and 3 forming the lower section of such column. A central section comprising two pivotally connected crossed members 4 and 5, the lower ends of which are pivotally joined to the respective upper ends of the lower section members 2 and 3, in turn supports the upper section of the column comprising two members 6 and l pivot-ally joined to respective upper ends of such crossed members. Link members 8 and 9 connect the upper portions of members 5 and I and a pin 10 riding in a guideway il' in member I! conmeeting the extreme ends of members 6 and l insures that the frame of the column will maintain a substantially vertical position when the same is erected. Such link members are shown in detail in Fig. '7. Locking means (see Fig. 6) comprising a pivotally mounted hook member l3 serves to maintain the column in erect position, such hock member engaging a pin M on member 2. A torsion spring i5 is provided tending to hold said hook member down against stopl5', thus guarding against any accidental displacement of the same from. pin M as well 'as permitting automatic locking of the column when the latter is extended. The upper ends l6 and ll of members 3 and 2 respectively are flanged inwardly to contact members 5 and! and pre vent further relative pivotal movement between such members when the position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 6 has been attained.

The lower ends of members 2 and. 3 are additionally braced by block 18 between said members, suchblo'ck also carrying angle iron members l9 and 20, and 2| and 2 2, between which members 2 and 3 are respectively pivotally secured. A brace member 23 gives added support toblock I8.

As shown in Figs. .8 and 9, the joints between backs of members 5 and I to aid in the erection,

and collapse of the support, as will be described below.

Carried by pins 3| and 3| at the upper ends of members 6 and I is a frame piece 32 in turn supporting an arched curtain-supporting cross member 33. At the ends of such cross member are provided rings 34 and 35 for a purpose to be later explained. Closely adjacent the ends of such member 33 are pivotally attached wing members 36 and 31 adapted to be folded against such cross member, as shown in Fig. 4 and in dash line in Fig. 1. A trough-shaped reflector 38 is secured to such frame piece 32 and is adapted to provide a downward directed light when equipped with light bulbs and electrical connecting cord.

Th pivotally connected sections of the upright or column of my support are of such length that when said upright is collapsed said sections will lie within the limits of said base member I, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. A cover 39, provided with a handle 49, may then be placed over the collapsed support and in conjunction with such base member is adapted to entirely enclose the same. Upon joining such cover to such base member by means of latches 4|, the whole is rendered easily portable. Drapes or curtains 42 and 43 are carried by wings 36 and 31 as indicated in outline in Fig. 1, and divided curtains 44 and 45 are suspended from cross member 33. Another curtain 46 is hung from fram piece 32 providing in conjunction with said curtains 44 and 45 a pleasing alcove effect which may be illuminated from above by lights in such concealed reflector 38. A small opening in such curtain 46 permits the insertion of bracket 21 and attachment to the supporting column. The crucifix or like object carried thereby will then be illuminated from above and framed between curtains 4 44 and 45. A thin board or other fiat stiff member 41 is provided in the lower portion of curtain 46. When it is desired to collapse the drape stand of my invention, bracket 21 is first removed and wing members 36 and 31 folded against cross member 33. All of said curtains are then rolled up together, starting from the bottom, about such fiat stiiT member 41. When they have been rolled up to a point closely adjacent the ends of member 33 they are secured in such position by meansof snaps 48 and 49 attached to the ends of such stifi member which are hooked into rings 34 and 35. Then grasping handles 29 and 39, hook member 13 is lifted by the toe of one foot and the supporting column permitted to gently col lapse by its ownweight, assuming the compact arrangement illustrated in Figs. 3 and 4, the such roll of curtain 59 being illustrated in dot and dash line in Fig. 4. The cover 39 is then secured in place and the whole is in condition for immediate transport.

Although the frame as illustrated is constructed for the most part of angle iron and this has been found entirely satisfactory, it will be understood of course that tubular members or stampings, as well as castings, may be employed for the various parts. The upright or column may advantageously be constructed to have a slight rearward inclination so that when hung with the usual heavy drapes it will stand substantially vertical. Due to the positioning of the lower end of said column adjacent one side of the base member and the fact that the cover is entirely removable, my stand may be placed closely against a wall with a resultant saving in space and reduction in the danger of such stand being accidentally overturned. However, probably the most important advantages of my new construction lie in the ease of erectability and portability of the entire equipment.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the structure herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention:

1. A support for curtains and the like comprising a base, a column, and a curtain supporting cross member carried by said column, said column comprising a lower section of two substantially vertical members of equal length pivotally mounted on said base, a central section of two pivotally connected crossed members ends of which are pivotally joined to the respective upper ends of said lower section members, locking means operative to prevent spreading of the ends of said crossed members, and an upper section comprising two members pivotally joined to respective upper ends of said crossed members, said members of said upper section being pivotally connected with said curtain supporting cross member.

2. A support for curtains and the like comprising a base, a column, and a curtain supporting cross member carried by said column, said column comprising a lower section of two substantially vertical members of equal length pivotally mounted on said base, a central section of two pivotally connected crossed members ends of which are pivotally joined to the respective upper ends of said lower section members, an upper section comprising two members pivotally joined to respective upper ends of said crossed members, said members of said upper section being pivotally connected with said curtain supporting cross member, and means for locking such sections to maintain said column in erect position.

3. A background for biers and the like comprising a fiat rectangular base, a column mounted on said base adjacent one side thereof, said column comprising pivotally connected rigid sections permitting the collapse thereof, means for locking such sections to maintain said column in erect position, a cross member carried by said column, wing member pivotally attached to the ends of said cross member and adapted to be folded thereagainst, curtains carried by said cross member and said wing members, a rigid member provided in the lower portion of one of said ourtains about which said folded curtains may be rolled, means for attaching the end of said rigid member to the ends of said cross member, and a cover for said support in collapsed state adapted in conjunction with said base member to entirely enclose the same and said curtains.

4. A support for curtains and the like, com prising a base, a column, and a curtain supporting cross-member carried by said column, said column comprising two lower members of equal length pivotally connected at their lower ends to said base at slightly spaced points, a central section of two pivotally connected crossed members, ends of which are pivotally joined to the respective upper ends of said lower section members, locking m ans operative to prevent spreading of the ends of said crossed members, and an upper section comprising two members pivotally joined to respective upper ends of said crossed members and respectively, constituting axial extensions thereof, said members of said upper section being pivotally connected with said curtain supporting cross member.

5. A support for curtains and the like, comprising a base, a column, and a curtain supporting cross member carried by said column, said column comprising two vertical members of equal length pivotally connected at their lower ends to said base at adjacent points thereon, a central section of two pivotally connected crossed members, ends of which are pivotally joined to the respective upper ends of said lower section members, locking means operative to prevent spreading of the ends of said crossed members, an upper section comprising axial extensions of said respective crossed members pivotally joined thereto, the upper ends of said extensions being pivotally connected with said curtain supporting cross member, and means for preventing outward pivotal movement of said extensions relative to the respective members of said central section beyond a point of axial continuation of said members of said central section.

6. A collapsible drape stand comprising a flat rectangular base and a vertically collapsible upright located centrally of the ends of said base,

said upright comprising two vertical members of equal length pivotally connected at their lower ends to said base at adjacent points thereon, and an upper section comprising two pivotally connected crossed members, ends of which are pivotally joined to the respective upper ends of said vertical members, means for locking certain of such members to maintain said upright in erect position, such members being of such length that when said upright is collapsed said sections will lie within the limits of said base, and a curtain supporting cross member carried by the upper end of said upright.

'7. A collapsible drape stand comprising a flat rectangular base and a vertically collapsible upright located centrally of the ends of said base, said upright comprising two vertical members of equal length pivotally connected at their lower ends to said base at slightly spaced points thereon, a brace between the lower ends of said members to prevent pivotal movement of either member toward the other beyond a vertical position, lock means for connecting said members, further members pivotally connected to said firstnamed members,all said members being of such length that when said upright is collapsed said members will lie within the limits of said base, and a curtain supporting cross member carried by the upper end of said upright.

8. A collapsible drape stand comprising a flat joined thereto, means pivotally connecting the upper ends of said extensions, and a curtain supporting cross member carried by the upper end of said upright.

9. A collapsible drape stand comprising a fiat rectangular base and a vertically collapsible up: right located centrally of the ends of said base, said upright comprising two' vertical members of equal length pivotally connected at their lower ends to said base at slightly spaced points thereon, lock means for connecting said members, two pivotally connected crossed members, ends of which are pivotally joined to the respective upper ends of said vertical members, removable bracket means bridging the upper portions of said crossed members to lock the same against relative movement, and a curtain supporting cross member carried by the upper end of said upright.

10. A support for curtains and the like comprising a flat elongated base member, a column centrally disposed relative to the ends of said member and adapted to be collapsed within the limits of said base member, and a curtain supporting cross member carried by said column, said column comprising two crossed members pivotally connected substantially midway of their ends, and pivotally mounted at their lower ends on said base member, said members being pivotally divided at points substantially midway between such point-of pivotal crossing and said base member and midway-between such point of pivotal crossing and the upper ends of said members to permit collapse of said column, and means for locking said members to maintain said column in erect position.

LEONARD R. PEER. 

